Windows Explorer Alternate Data Stream Shell Extension

Question

I have some files that use alternate data stream and are not shown on windows explorer. I would like to make a shell extension or a program that runs on background that when I use windows explorer and navigates to a folders that has alternate data streams files, to show this file to windows explorer but with an overlay icon on it.

Is this possible? Is there a sample code to check?

Thanks a lot.

Answer 1

There's already a shell property sheet handler available from Microsoft called StrmExt. Granted, it's not quite what you're looking for, was written for Windows 2000 and Windows XP, and has to be recompiled for 64 bit versions of Explorer, but it includes the C++ source code, which should give you a place to start, at least.

In Windows Vista, two new API functions were introduced to allow easier enumeration of Alternate Data Streams: FindFirstStreamW and FindNextStreamW. These functions work much like the other FindFirstX and FindNextX type functions that have been in Win32 for years.

Answer 2

Another, more recent, option, that works with Windows Explorer x64, too, is AlternateStreamExtension. It also provides icon overlays.

You can find it here.